Quick Reads: "Pond Scum" in Collective Darkness
Check out an excerpt of “Pond Scum” in Collective Darkness below!
Pond Scum
By Alex Child
Isaac tugged at the No Trespassing sign that hung from the broken fence. He watched as Corey slipped through the peeled-back wire and called for him to follow. When he didn’t move, Corey grabbed his arm and tugged him through.
The two boys followed the forbidden path until it led them into a clearing. They stood at a small knoll overlooking a sickle-shaped pond. Thick ebony algae nearly concealed the dark water. A whiff of neglected decay drifted in the air.
Isaac rubbed his nose at the smell, “We have a fountain at my house. It gets mold in it sometimes, but nothing like this.”
“Could be for retention from the old mines,” Corey suggested.
He arched his back and walked down the steep embankment with his knees bent sharply. “Maybe there are some fish we can catch,” he said, dropping his feet into the water. It was surprisingly cool.
Isaac followed and examined the area around them. There was no vegetation growing along the bank. It was as if all the plants were trying to run away from the pond. Perhaps it wasn’t the best idea to get close.
Corey examined the pond with wide eyes. A clear layer of liquid rested above a bed of gray wisps that swayed with the currents of the pool. Just past the wisps, the clear liquid turned murky with splotches of black swirling in circular patterns.
“This water is weird, man,” Corey said under his breath.
Isaac crouched at the pool’s edge on all fours. The imagery was somehow enchanting. “I’ve never seen water like this before,” he agreed.
“It might not be water. Maybe it’s pond scum?” Corey suggested.
Isaac laughed, “That seems unlikely. Pond scum doesn’t look like this.”
“What do you think then?” Corey splashed water at Isaac.
“I think that’s probably not a good idea,” said Isaac. “My mom told me some of these old mining ponds have chemicals in them that can give you cancer.”
Corey shrugged. “My grandma had cancer and kicked its ass. Plus, I’m way stronger than her, so I’ll be fine.” He smashed his feet through the liquid like an old-time grape stomper. The scum in the pond temporarily moved away from his legs before snapping back into place. “That’s where you gotta be careful,” Corey said with a smile. He took a few more steps in, “It’s not too deep.”
“Well, it probably gets deeper in the middle,” Isaac said. “Maybe you should get out?”
“Nah, I can swim,” Corey said with a dismissive wave. He quickly changed the subject, “Wanna sandwich?”
Isaac smiled and nodded.
“Catch,” Corey said, tossing a sandwich that he kept in his fanny pack.
Isaac’s hands flailed helplessly over his head as the sandwich hit him in the stomach and dropped towards the circular pool. He picked it up before it fell in the water and unzipped the bag.
“I’ll be back, gonna make a raft,” Corey said as he got out of the pond. He climbed the small hill in search of wood.
Isaac replied by lifting a hand with a half-raised thumb. He scratched his nose as the strange scent wafted through the air. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what it smelled like, but it somehow reminded him of mildew in laundry. Puzzled, he looked around. There was nothing but trees, dirt, and the polluted water in his surroundings. He didn’t think the trees or dirt made this smell, so it had to be the pond. “I still don’t like this water,” he mumbled between mouthfuls of his sandwich.
Isaac continued to eat in silence. He took another bite when he realized that it was too quiet. There was no sound. The birds that flew by uttered no notes. The wind was silent. His chewing created no audible noise.
The pond bubbled loudly, making Isaac jump. He stared into the water in a trance. Something about this water felt off.
